The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1887-03-18

the ve, lest triflcs MAKE up the sum Of
human happiness or woe! Because Of
1 q few careless words. spoken in half
Jest. Mildred wandered aimlessly from
room to room. torturing herself with u
hundred perplexing questions. until
brain and heart alike ached, and she
was ut last forced to lie down and sob
herself to sleep.
She woke with student start when
the door opened two hours later and
her husband came in.
Have you a headache HelenF' he
asked, with much concern. coming over
to the sofa and seating himself beside
her.
For the first time in her life his wife
repulsed him coldly.
my name is Mildred, please remem-
Der T. she said, CURLY, sitting up quite
straight, while the sudden rush OF hot
blood to her face us suddenly receded,
leaving her rs pale as death.
"Im sorry | blundered," Vernon
said, trying to draw her face down to
his shoulder. 'Are YOU angry with me.
dear Pr
81 suppose it is quite useless for me
to be angry Mt what shall very likely
have to endure every day of my life. now
that we are at home where you have so
much to rem nd YOU of-of-thc past!'
said Mildred. averting her tear-stained
face. and withdrawing from his arms.
Vernon sighed, then bit his lip fierce
ly, to keep back an angry retort.
IN ldred." he said. after gloomy
silence. ''f they annoy you. / will have
these things removed" and he glanced
at the picture on the wall, and then at
the books and bric-a-brac scattered
around the room. You remember. il
was because you requested it that | al
lowed them TO remain"
IL thought 1t would please you to
have them. and --and-I-I imagined
wouldn't care" stammered Mildred,
on the verge of toars again.
"But You find that you do care; is. ii
not sop Vernon asked. gently. Then
without waiting for an answer, he said:
ut pains me to see you unhappy, so
soon after our coming home. Has any
tn ng happened to vex you to-day
darlingP"
IF YOU only wouldnt forget and call
mo Hc'cn," sobbed Mildred.
al will be more careful in future"
promised Vernon, us he took her in his
arms and kissed away her tears.
Il know am silly, jeolous crea-
ture, john and Mildrcd's arms were
around his neck. and her hot cheek
laid close to his. but | do want to
think that you never loved anyone Us
you love me!'
"You know | love you fondly and
truly. above all other women" said her
husband, drawing her to his heart"
That is not answering my question
properly" said Mildred. her jealous
heart prompting her to claim stronger
statement
Then what is it You 10 wish mo to
sayp' asked Vernon n little impatient
". il must be confessed. for he was
both surprised and ANNOYED at this sud-
den and unlocked for display of jeal-
ousy,
You should say that l am the only
woman you ever really loved" said
foolish Mildred, rs il any man ever
reached the age of forty without hav-
ing love affair of some sort.
at would be wrong for me 10 make
such an assertion, since it would be
telling you IN uniruth." said Vernon.
gravely. Mildred. do you want me to
say that didn't love Helen?" he asked,
IN n low, panied voice.
Mildred was stubbornly silent.
Because, If YOU do you are not the
sensible woman have believed you 10
be. he said, his dark. handsome face
growing pale and stern.
Zone can love but once. There can
be no second love" said Mildred, hot
ly.
If this is your belief. you should have
re membered IL when / asked YOU to
marry me. said Vernon, coldly, pa
cling the floor.
A spirit of pervrsity prompted Mil
dred to say:
at would have saved me much pain
and perhaps a lifetime of regret had !
RENE it,"
Mildred" and Vernon stopped in
his rapid walk and took her hands in
r close clasp, "you can't mean what
you have just said! Say you were not
in earnest unless you want to make me
miserablel"
"You can't be more miserable than
| ann said Mildred. with little sob.
Il have been the happiest man in the
world for four months-until to-day"
said Vernon. quickly.
II suppose the homecoming has Civ
en- you unpleasant thoughts" said
Mildred, who was In perfect pass on
Of unreasonable jealousy and anger.
you have given me unpleasant
thoughts retorted Vernon, losing pa
tience. and speaking in qnick. angry